Frequency of pelvic floor dysfunctions after normal vaginal delivery

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of pelvic floor dysfunctions after normal vaginal delivery.

Methodology: A study was conducted in obstetrics and gynecology department of Akbar Khan Teaching Hospital (ANTH), Islamabad Pakistan between February and August 2022 demonstrating observational cross-sectional study design. The data was collected from 285 females using non probability convenience sampling technique. Multipara females having child birth (≥ 2) history of normal vaginal delivery either undergone episiotomy or not were included in this study. Self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection, which had been quality of life (QoL), parity status (≥ 2), urinary leakage, bowel leakage, pain in pelvic area, and gait abnormality. All the data were analyzed in SPSS v 23.

Results: The mean patient age was 38.15±7.85 years. In context of pelvic floor dysfunctions, pain in pelvic area 80%, urinary leakage 79% and bowel leakage 52% were observed. The secondary dysfunctions i.e., gait abnormality 42% was observed. The frequency of symptomatic pelvic floor dysfunctions in female’s undergone normal vaginal delivery was 65% in interviewed patients. The post stratification analysis of quality-of-life questionnaire with pelvic floor dysfunctions. A significant association (p ≤ 0.05) was observed between quality-of-life and pelvic floor dysfunctions after normal vaginal delivery.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the pelvic floor dysfunctions are more common in obese multipara females & multiple vaginal births. Obesity and multiple births are the major contributor factors to pelvic floor dysfunction.